This article was written by Bella Orr, UT student in agricultural leadership, education and communications.
Each year, selected Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H, and FFA members attend an educational trip that exposes them to agriculture in another area of the country. This year, the club chose to visit North Carolina, where they explored various aspects of the state’s agricultural industry as well as North Carolina Farm Bureau.
The first day began with a visit to the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science. There, students learned about oyster farming with a focus on reproduction and the importance of genetics in sustaining healthy oyster populations. The group then traveled to the Tinga Nursery, where they were introduced to native plants and learned about the impact of hurricanes on agriculture in North Carolina. The day concluded with a walk along the Wilmington Riverwalk, offering scenic views along the Cape Fear River and a glimpse into the historic charm of downtown Wilmington.
On the second day, the group toured Strickland Family Farms, a diverse agricultural operation growing sweet potatoes, cucumbers, corn, soybeans, tobacco, wheat, and raising both hogs and turkeys. A highlight of the visit involved observing a transplanter in action, which helps increase efficiency in planting sweet potatoes across numerous acres. Later that day, the group visited Duplin Winery, where they participated in a vineyard tour. During the tour, they learned about grape varieties that thrive in the humid climate of North Carolina and received a grapevine planting demonstration.
The final day included a visit to the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation headquarters. There, members toured the North Carolina Farm Bureau offices and met with President Shawn Harding. Members gained understanding toward Farm Bureau’s advocacy efforts and organizational structure in North Carolina. Following the tour, students ate lunch with North Carolina Farm Bureau faculty. The trip concluded with a tour of North Carolina State University’s Howling Cow Dairy Education Center. At the education center, students observed the university’s dairy operations and gained insights into the integration of education, research, and agricultural production.
Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H, and FFA member Mattie Mcguire said, “My overall favorite part of the educational trip was seeing the variety of agriculture throughout North Carolina—from the oyster farms on the coast to the sweet potato farms further inland. There were so many different aspects of farming that were really exciting to learn about!”
Overall, the Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H, and FFA educational trip provided students with hands-on learning opportunities and a broader understanding of North Carolina’s agricultural diversity, innovation, and leadership. Providing students the opportunity to see agriculture in another state is vital as they consider future career paths. These experiences allow them to better advocate for agriculture and spread the knowledge and benefits of the industry.
